Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten have taken the opportunity to warm up for a spot of political biffo with sporting promises.
Both leaders made low-key sporting-related announcements on Sunday morning then spent the afternoon hunkered down to prepare for their first official debate at the National Press Club.
The leaders will be grilled by three senior political journalists in the hour-long debate, in contrast to the town hall-style people's forum held in western Sydney earlier this month.
Mr Shorten is keenly awaiting the match-up.
"I'm looking forward again tonight to talking about Labor's positive plans," the opposition leader told reporters in Canberra, noting he'd enjoyed doing just that around the country for the past three weeks.
The prime minister says it's all about having a good discussion of the big issues at stake.
"More opportunities for all Australians, for our children, our grandchildren, the growth and jobs that come from our economic plan pave the way for a secure future: that's what the choice is all about," Mr Turnbull said.
He met young netballers at a school in Canberra's north on Sunday and told them about his government's promise to spend an extra $60 million on a program to tackle obesity.
The money means the existing Sporting Schools Program can be extended to years seven and eight and encourage greater participation by young women.
Mr Shorten's tack is to promise the ABC $21 million to broadcast more women's sport.
"What we want to make sure is that these future stars behind us, when they become heroes in Australian sport, that they can provide role models and mentors and real inspiration to future generations," he said at a training session for the Canberra United soccer academy's under 13 and 17 girls' teams.
Labor says the money will let the national broadcaster show live 500 hours more of women's sports on television and via its digital iView platform.
The ABC scrapped broadcasts of women's basketball and soccer competitions when its funding was slashed in the 2014 budget.
Mr Shorten was again challenged about his party's decision not to reinstate the schoolkids bonus if it won government.
Asked repeatedly whether a new bonus was among about 70 policies the opposition had submitted for costings, he said he'd have to check "with my financial people".
The schoolkids bonus reversal is likely to feature during the leaders' debate, with Liberals claiming it as evidence of Labor Party division and inconsistency.
